Tips from a cancer survivor on how you can support friends and family diagnosed with cancer

Tips from a cancer survivor on how you can support friends and family diagnosed with cancer

A cancer diagnosis can be a super scary thing. It seems like all of us have been touched by cancer at some point or another.  Perhaps, you have been on the receiving end of that diagnosis, or you have had friends or loved ones that have been.  
This past year alone, I've personally known a handful of people who have been diagnosed with some form of cancer.  I know there have been times when I wanted to help but I wasn't sure how.  Recently, I asked some cancer survivors to share their insights and tips with us so that we can better support those around us when they are diagnosed.

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Sewing pillowcases for kids with cancer

That's it folks. Another Paula's Pillowcase Day in the books.  This year marks seven years of my friend Paula gathering her friends and her friends friends from near and far to spend a weekend cutting, sewing and wrapping up handmade fleece pillowcases for kids with cancer.

Paula's son was diagnosed nearly ten years ago with a rare form of cancer called Sarcoma. While he was in the hospital getting treatment they realized how uncomfortable the pillowcases were on bald Chemo heads.  A handmade pillowcase that was a gift from a friend became a treasured item and Paula's Pillowcase Project was born.

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Using bulk chain to make a necklace. A tutorial on how I made a cancer mom necklace

This weekend is Paula's Pillowcase Project weekend.

One Saturday a year for the past six years, I have joined Paula in sewing pillowcases for kids at Seattle Children's hospital that have been diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing treatment.

Last year I had a sew along so that you could join me in helping provide a soft homemade pillowcase for kids that are spending their days and nights away from home laying on oftentimes scratchy hospital pillows with their cute bald heads.

If you are interested in sewing along, it isn't too late!

Check this post for up to date information.

This year, Paula asked if I would be willing to craft something 

for the moms of kids with cancer that come during the event.

Something that they could wear {that wasn't overly obnoxious}

but that would distinguish them as a mom of a kid with cancer.

There are usually about a dozen moms that come to volunteer their time making pillowcases for other kids, usually because they were touched by the pillowcase their child received when they were first admitted.

Sewing along side kids with cancer or working with kids in remission and talking with moms whose kids are in the fight for their lives is one of my favorite parts of the event. 

 So of course, I didn't hesitate to jump on board and help.

I immediately thought necklace.

Like a pink ribbon is the color for breast cancer, gold is the color for childhood cancer.

I wanted something the moms could wear again and also something I could easily make multiples of.

This is what I came up with.

I am not a jewelry maker.

In fact, walking down the jewelry aisle at the craft store makes me a little nervous.

It seems foreign to me.

I didn't know what jump rings were or how you can cut chain to make a necklace,

but I took a little crash course and now I want to share with you what I learned.

While I made a childhood cancer necklace, the same rules apply to any necklace you would want to make with a charm pendant or two.

You will need:

charms {I used these gold ribbons}

jump rings and clasps {I got mine in a package together}

 bulk chain {I used 72"}

jewelry making tools {round nose, flat nose and cutting pliers are a must!}

 I honestly had no idea you could make your own necklace using chain.

I spent far longer than I would like to admit wandering up and down the jewelry aisle at not one but three different craft stores looking for pre-made necklace chains.

Come to find out, you can make it.

Who knew?

If you knew, please don't laugh at me or I will punch you in the face.

You can use this image as a guide for cutting the perfect length.

I cut my chain with my cutting pliers to 18".

Next, I used a jump ring to add a loop on to my bead charms.

My gold ribbon charms already had a jump ring.

You simply use your flat nose pliers to open up your jump ring, then hold it in place.

Slip your charm through the opening in your jump ring and

use your round nose pliers to help close your jump ring.

Before you put your clasps on, slip your charms on your chain.

It's easier and will save you time, trust me!

On one end of your chain put your jump ring using the same method that you did for your charm.

On the other end of your chain you will open up the small circle jump ring that is attached to your clasp and slide the end of your chain on.

Use your round pliers to close up your jump ring.

There you have it, a homemade necklace chain!

Notice how I didn't put my charms on it yet.

Yep, this is where I learned that it was easier to do that first before putting my clasp ends on.

Here is the finished necklace. I really like how it turned out and think that the moms will like it too!

I'm thinking next time I walk down the jewelry making aisle I will be a little less nervous.

I hope you will be too!

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Chemo head scarf and t-shirt and how you can help kids with cancer

In November, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. This is the same sister who not even 18 months ago became a young widow when her 40 year old husband passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. We are separated by thousands of miles geographically. I'm on the west coast, she's in the armpit of America Ohio. Feeling like I wanted to do something to support her,  I have been sewing head scarfs for her using this tutorial from Daydream Believers.

I wish I could do more to help her and support her, but these are a few of the simple things that I can do to let her know I am pulling for her! In just a few short weeks I will be joining my friend Paula as we sew pillowcases for kids with cancer. If you are local {Seattle area} and want to join us, send me an e-mail so I can get you the details. If you aren't local, but want to help in some way, you can follow this tutorial so that you can sew along with me to make pillowcases for kids with cancer. Cancer sucks. Let's take some time to support those friends and family members fighting for their lives.

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Paula's Pillowcase Project sewing for kids with cancer

  Last week, I sewed my buns off for the third year at Paula's Pillowcase Project. You can read more about past years here and here You can read more about the project here
In a nutshell, my friend Paula's 10 year old son was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. While her son was at Children's Hospital in Seattle he had a scratchy stiff pillowcase. It didn't take long for Paula to see a need for kids with cancer and Paula's Pillowcase Project was formed.
Each year the amount of pillowcases that are made continues to increase as do the volunteers that are involved. This year the goal was to make 250 pillowcases for the kids at Children's Hospital in Seattle.
The event starts long before the project weekend. Donations are accepted and Paula and her son head to JoAnn's on black Friday buying bolts and bolts of fabric Volunteers wash and iron the fabric and on Friday, more volunteers come to pre cut kits that are sewn on Saturday
Here are the pieces of the kit all ready to be put together There is one narrow piece one wider plain piece and a printed fleece that is the main fabric

People are cutting

Sewing 

and ironing

 Volunteers make a handmade card for each pillowcase with a sweet handwritten note inside

Volunteers young and old come out to help.

I was quite impressed with several young girls who came out this year to sew.

Both said they were taught by their Grandmothers

Such a great skill

It was also a lot of fun to teach this 10 year old boy how to sew

He really liked sewing more than he thought he would.

And just as I started helping him make a pillowcase from start to finish, my machine died on me.

Thankfully, Jenny was there to lend a hand and her sewing machine to help Seth out.

This year a decorative stitch was done on each of the narrow pieces of fleece.

I think it turned out great!

 Aren't they just adorable!

I am so thankful to have a part in making a little something to help the kids be just a little more comfortable.
 
I can't wait for next year.

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